Gujarat farmer suicides: Cong gives Rs 1 lakh to kin

August 24, 2012 01:31 IST

Criticising Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government for its "insensitive" approach towards farmers, Congress leaders on Thursday gave Rs 1 lakh each to family members of three farmers who committed suicide due to crop failure early this month.

Talking to mediapersons in Rajkot after giving cheques to the families of the victims, state Congress president Arjun Modhvadiya said, "The Gujarat Congress today gave a cheque of Rs 1 lakh each to family members of three farmers who ended their lives, on the directive by Sonia Gandhi."

The cheques were given to family members of Vikram Sakariya, Jaypalsinh Jadeja and Kishor Pethani by Congress leaders Modhvadiya, Shaktisinh Gohil and Shankersinh Vaghela.

"This is not the first time that Saurashtra is facing drought-like

situation but it is for the first time so many farmers committed suicide. It had not happened during the Congress rule because the then Congress government had not only taken necessary steps but stood by farmers.

"This

time as many as twelve farmers ended their lives as the state government did nothing for them," Modhvadiya alleged.

Opposition leader in state assembly Shaktisinh Gohil alleged the Modi government has not taken even a single step to extend help to farmers in scarcity-hit

Saurashtra region.

Shankarsinh

Vaghela, chairman of Congress's election campaign committee said, "We had to meet victims' family and provide them financial help because the state government has become 'insensitive' towards farmers."